MINI’s upcoming Countryman crossover just can’t catch a break. The launch of the vehicle has been delayed several times (the most recent being a push-back from the Frankfurt to Geneva auto shows), and now reports suggest the crossover might not debut in the U.S. until early 2011.

The well-connected folks at MotoringFile are reporting that while the vehicle is essentially completed, the folks at MINI (and its parent company, BMW) are skittish about launching the new vehicle in a less than favorable economic climate. While things do appear to be improving, the automaker is still contemplating a delay in the Countryman’s launch.

The report isn’t all bad news, however, as there’s some new info about the car. It will be available as both a four-seater and as a five-seater with the choice of either a 1.6-liter gasoline engine or a 2.0-liter diesel BMW engine.  On top of this, there’s the exciting news that the John Cooper Works department will release two JCW models: the first being a standard JCW-type car, while the second will feature AWD, more power and a lighter curb weight.

Again, MINI doing a crossover seems like a bad idea, but we’re sure if anyone can make the dull utility segment fun, it’s MINI. Let’s just hope we don’t have to wait too much longer to find out.

[Source: MotoringFile]

MINI confirmed it will produce the Coupé model unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show alongside the MINI Roadster.

Powered by the same John Cooper Works turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder as the current line of top-level MINIs, the Coupé makes 211hp and 192 ft-lbs of torque, with a bump to 206 ft-lbs possible thanks to an overboost function.

The unique roof, 2.36 inches lower than other MINI models, was designed to increase downforce, while create a functional amount of rear storage space. The new roof is also made of aluminum to help keep weight on the Coupé to a minimum. The windshield also slopes 16 degrees further than on previous MINI models.

As for the dimensions, the coupé measures 146.2-inches (3,714 millimeters) in length, 66.3-inches (1,683 millimeters) in width and 53.4-inches (1,356 millimeters) in height.

Both the MINI Coupé and the MINI Roadster will be built at the company’s Oxford facility.

Gallery: MINI Coupé

At long last, it’s here. Rumors of some sort of even-sportier MINI model have been bouncing around for years and finally, with the debut of the MINI Coupé Concept, there’s reason to believe MINI will actually take action and bring a sporty two-seater to market.

The debut comes exactly 50 years after Alec Issigonis showed the original MINI.

Powered by the same John Cooper Works turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder as the current line of top-level MINIs, the Coupe makes 211hp and 192 ft-lbs of torque, with a bump to 206 ft-lbs possible thanks to an overboost function.

The unique roof was designed to increase downforce, while create a functional amount of rear storage space. The new roof is also made of aluminum to help keep weight on the coupe to a minimum. MINI has yet to release all the details but does mention in its press release that “extreme lightweight technology makes this tw0-seater particularly agile and efficient.”

As for the dimensions, the Coupe measures 146.2-inches (3,714 millimeters) in length, 66.3-inches (1,683 millimeters) in width and 53.4-inches (1,356 millimeters) in height.

Inside the MINI Coupé Concept keeps much of the traditional MINI interior style. There are even two clocks inside, one for keeping time and one for keeping lap times!

MINI is expected to bring the Coupé Concept to market but it’s not likely until 2011 at the earliest.

GALLERY: MINI Coupé Concept

Official release after the jump:

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MINI is set to offer a limited number of Rally Edition versions of the Clubman S model in the U.S. This new car will feature plenty of upgrades and will include a John Cooper Works aero kit – with the JCW tuning kit sold separately.

Only 70 Rally Edition models will be made with most U.S. dealerships receiving just one. All cars will come with a roof rack, roof basket and black driving lamps, as well as Rally Green mirrors and Side Scuttles and silver Sport Stripes.

In addition, all model swill come with the following list of options:

• Midnight Black (A94),
• Roof in Body Color (381)
• Sport Package (ZSP) – DTC (5DT)
• White Turn Indicators (785)
• Xenon Headlights (522)
• 17” Black Wheels
• Roof Rails (386)
• Anthracite Headliner (ZAH)
• Piano Black Interior (4BD)
• Automatic climate Control (534)
• Leather Steering Wheel w/Multifunction
• Comfort Bluetooth (6NE)

Dealers will offer the special Rally Edition model with either a summer package consisting of 17-inch Black Web-Spoke wheels with performance tires or an all-season package with 17-inch Black Crown Spoke wheels with all-season tires and a Cold Weather Package.

Deliveries are expected in October with a base price of $32,999.

GALLERY: MINI Clubman S Rally Edition

[Source: Motoringfile]

MINI just released two new special edition models, but that isn’t about to stop Britishy-German brand from introducing yet another. The latest collectors item to be unveiled by MINI to celebrate the company’s 50th birthday is the new John Coper Works Championship 50 Special Edition model – which celebrates the Cooper racing team’s two Formula 1 world championships in 1959 and 1960.

In true British fashion the sporty “little” car will get a deep green paint job and white stripes. MINI calls the green “Connaught Green” and the white is “Pepper White,” – which is used not only for the stripes but also for the roof.

Inside the car gets black leather and red detailing.

Other than those details there isn’t a lot to differentiate the car from a standard JCW model – except maybe for the price, which is expected to be roughly $53,000.

That dollar sign is, however, irrelevant as the car won’t be sold in North America – just Europe and the U.K. Getting your hands on one won’t be easy either as MINI plans to produce just 250 JCW Championship 50 models.

[Source: Edmunds.com]

GALLERY: MINI JWC Championship 50 Special Edition

After debuting the 2009 MINI Convertible recently, we knew it would only be time before the John Cooper Works edition came out.. and here it is.

With a turbocharged and direct-injection 1.6-liter four-cylinder, the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible makes 208 hp from 1850 to 5600 rpm and 192 ft-lbs of torque. A brief “overboost” mode will push torque to 207 ft-lbs for even better acceleration. The result is a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds. Top speed is rated at 146 mph.

Even with all that performance, fuel consumption is impressive with a city/highway rating of 26/34 mpg.

As all MINI models tend to appeal to driving enthusiasts MINI has equipped with John Cooper Works Convertible with a Sports Button, located next to the gearshift lever. Pushing this button will immediately make for a more enjoyable ride with tighter and more responsive steering and a more sensitive gas pedal.

Also for the enthusiast-driver is a set of 17-inch wheels with 205/45/17 tires. Each wheel weighs just 22 lbs, however, the tires are heavy runflats.

Standard safety features include ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), including Hill Assist, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and a Brake Assist. Both traction control and stability control can be shut off in stages.

The MINI John Cooper Works Convertible also gets an electronic locking differential.

As for the convertible itself, it opens or closes in just 15 seconds and can be operated at speeds up to 18 mph.

MINI will also offer John Cooper Works accessories for the sporting convertible including an aerodynamics package, a sports suspension,  cross-drilled brakes, a strut bar and carbon fiber mirror covers. Plenty of carbon fiber interior accessories are also offered. Other interesting options are a gearshift indicator and lateral acceleration meter – perfect for those who like to track their cars.

The MINI John Cooper Works Convertible will go on sale in the U.S. starting in April 2009, at a retail price of $34,950, which includes the $650 destination charge.

MINI John Cooper Works Convertible:

Official release after the jump:

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